MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release
Monday, October 20, 2008

Increases in grants and subsidies for insulation and heating mean more Wellington homes will be warm and dry next winter.

Sustainability Trust congratulates Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) for significant changes to the ENERGYWISE programme, making warm dry homes accessible to even more New Zealanders.

It is estimated that 300,000 homes in New Zealand have little or no insulation, and a third of those are occupied by low-income families. Many homes have little or inefficient heating which means householders face high power bills or significantly under-heat their homes. The EnergyWise programme helps in removing the financial barrier for homeowners and tenants, empowering families to save money on power bills, and increase their health and comfort.

Sustainability Trust, a not-for-profit community organisation has been insulating and heating homes in the Wellington region under the EnergyWise scheme since 2003. Last year they insulated over 1,000 homes in the region. “Insulating your home not only makes it easier to heat, it can significantly cut your power bill,” project manager Phil Squire says, “the environmental and health benefits are also huge.

“With EECA grants and loans open to homeowners and landlords earning up to $100,000 per annum who have homes built before January 1, 2000,” says Phil Squire, “just about everyone in Wellington could be getting some level of support. This is some of best news to have come out of government in many years. In addition, with the advent of the $1billion household fund, we should begin to see a significant improvement in the comfort and warmth of Wellington homes.”

“As a not-for-profit community organisation, our mission is to provide Wellington residents with a warm dry home at the lowest possible cost” says Phil Squire. “We are at the coal-face of EECA’s programmes and can attest to the life-changing outcomes that insulation and heating provide. The message we want to get out to everyone who has been cold this winter is that there is a solution, there is financial assistance, and there are organisations in your community who can help you through the process.”

For further information, or to get insulated, call Lalita Heymanns, 04 389 3400, visit www.sustaintrust.org.nz, or email: office@sustaintrust.co.nz

The Trust also manages the Wellington region Home Energy Advice Centre (HEAC), a free impartial advice service on all aspects of home energy use. HEAC is a publicly funded advice line that is independent of commercial bias and offers expert advice to all householders in the Wellington region. For any questions about heating, insulation, appliances, power bills and any other energy related concerns contact a HEAC advisor on 0800 388 588.

ENDS

© Scoop Media